House members: Cayetano call for snap poll unlawful, a diversion

Metro Manila, Philippines - House members have raised issues on the proposal of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to hold a snap election amid what he called the public’s distrust of the government.

House Deputy Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan said Cayetano proposal needs the convening of a constitutional convention, constituent assembly, or people’s initiative.

“Pwede tayong magbago ng Konstitusyon at base po sa magiging bagong Constitution, ‘yun na ang sundin natin sa pag-e-elect ng ating mga opisyales ng gobyerno,” Libanan explained.

[Translation: We can amend the Constitution and consider the changes, that is what we will follow in electing government officials.]

Meanwhile, the Makabayan bloc - composed of ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan Rep. Renee Co, and Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago - called Cayetano’s proposal a distraction from the public seeking accountability.

“How will holding snap elections address the issue of accountability?” it asked. “A snap election and just a change of personalities without changing the system will not address the roots of corruption.”

Kamanggagawa Rep. Elijah San Fernando said he respects Cayetano’s right to make proposals but the issue should be looked at from the root cause.

“Kailangan talaga na magkaroon ng hustisya at pananagutan dito sa usapin ng mga iba’t ibang eskandalo na lumalabas in the previous months, in the previous weeks,” he said.

[Translation: We need to have justice and accountability in the different scandals that arose in the previous weeks and months.]

Senate leaders have also rejected Cayetano’s recommendation.